Can I install dnsmasq as well as (instead of?) dnsmasq-base?

[Chris Green]

Current (i.e. 12.04 and 12.10) versions of Ubuntu install dnsmasq-base
as a dependency of Network Manager (this is because Network Manager now
runs dnsmasq as a local caching DNS server).

I want to run my own configuration for dnsmasq.  If I install the
dnsmasq package will this then 'play nicely' with Network Manager?

The description for dnsmasq-base says:-

    This package contains the dnsmasq executable and documentation, but
    not the infrastructure required to run it as a system daemon. For
    that, install the dnsmasq package.

So it *sounds* as if I should be able to install dnsmasq and set up my
own configuration but I'd like to be sure.  Can anyone throw any light
on this please.

-- 
Chris Green